Technology Integration

I am very lucky to work in a district that is rich in technology, collaboration and integrating technology. Our technology director talks about the SAMR model and pushes for us to use the tools for the higher level learning. He has showed us a few resources we could use to meet these standards. I am slowly understanding that it is ok to be the “guide on the side” instead of having all the answers when it comes to technology. We used a website the other week and I couldn’t get it to work. I felt ok asking my students for help. They see that we all need to work together and that others can share their experiences also. At this point I am asking myself if I am just using technology as a substitution. Sometimes I realize that I am, and I think that is ok at times but to make learning meaningful I need to incorporate more higher level implementation. Our school leaves it up to each teacher to decide if they let students bring in their own device to use. I really appreciate this and students feel even more motivated if they can use something they already own and love to use. I have tried a few different ideas in my room this year and they always seem to go well when I use technology. I hope to start our class edmodo soon. We recently got all my students signed up. I am hoping to put discussions on there, group ideas, post assignments and websites etc. It would be great for them to communicate and collaborate online. One thing I struggle with is there is so many apps, resources, websited etc that are out there that sometimes it is hard to pick something or think ahead enough about what technology will fit best with our lessons. I think I just need to try a few things out and let them run its course. I need to implement some of these resources and let the kids take it from there and see where it goes. I think I will be pleasantly surprised and each student will take ownership over their work.